US5525064A - Connector with molded stud(s) and insulated nuts - Google Patents
Connector with molded stud(s) and insulated nuts Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5525064A US5525064A US08/375,932 US37593295A US5525064A US 5525064 A US5525064 A US 5525064A US 37593295 A US37593295 A US 37593295A US 5525064 A US5525064 A US 5525064A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- substrate
- insulator block
- nuts
- electrical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
- H01R12/712—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
- H01R12/714—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/7005—Guiding, mounting, polarizing or locking means; Extractors
Definitions
- the present invention pertains to electrical connectors. More particularly, the present invention pertains to electrical connectors which are useful for providing electrical connection between the individual conductors of stacked substrates such as printed circuit boards.
- the present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a stackable connector for printed circuit boards that prevents unwanted electrical contact among the circuit board components.
- connectors for electrically connecting substrates.
- such connectors may be utilized to provide a detachable electrical connection between adjacent circuit boards.
- stacked connectors provide an electrical connection for circuit boards that are stacked relative to one another.
- a critical aspect of stackable connectors concerns the electrical contact made between the connector and the electrical substrate to which the connector is attached.
- the connector design must assure that the electrical contact between the connector and the substrate is both correct when established and highly reliable in subsequent use.
- a number of factors combine to make proper establishment and subsequent reliability of the electrical connection difficult to achieve. These factors include: variations in board thickness, thermal expansion, vibrations associated with various sources, contamination, increasing miniaturization of electronic systems and increasing signal capacities required of connectors.
- a second critical aspect of connector design concerns electrical isolation of the electrical components mounted to the substrate.
- a large number of electrical components may be mounted to a given electrical substrate. Many of these components are themselves conductive to electrical currents.
- the substrate itself often includes a great number of traces each of which is generally conductive to electrical currents.
- one type of stackable connector utilizes a connector body that is placed between adjacent substrates. The substrates are then clamped together holding the connector body in contact with each of the substrates.
- the chief disadvantage associated with this connector type is the need for a separate clamping mechanism and the resulting need that the clamping mechanism be specially configured to provide the tolerances required to maintain proper contact between the connector and the respective substrates.
- Another connector type positions a connector body between two substrates and then attaches each substrate to the connector body.
- This connector type functions as both an electrical connector and a means of physically attaching and positioning adjacent substrates.
- Connectors of this type typically provide screws or bolts which pass through the substrate and attach the connector.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,311 which issued to Evans for an invention entitled “Elastomeric Connector for Parallel Circuit Boards” and U.S. Pat. No. 3,551,750 which issued to Sterling for an invention entitled “Circuit Board Connector” disclose prior art connectors which function both as electrical connectors and a means of physically attaching and positioning adjacent substrates.
- the Evans and Sterling inventions included several impediments. Specifically, both inventions relied on the use of separate clamping bolts passing through the connector and the adjacent substrates. These bolts, if conductive, require that electrical components or board traces be eliminated from the areas in which the bolts make contact with the substrates. Additionally, the bolts are separate pieces making the bolt and connector assembly more costly to manufacture and install and increasing the likelihood of defects introduced at assembly time. Finally, the bolts require the use of specialized tools as the substrates are assembled further increasing the cost and difficulty associated with the use of these connectors.
- the present invention recognizes the need for an inexpensive single-piece stackable connector for adjacent circuit boards. Furthermore, the present invention recognizes the need for a connector with associated mounting hardware that is non-conductive and does not interfere with electrical traces present in printed circuit boards.
- an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost stackable connector for adjacent circuit boards that features single-piece construction. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a low-cost stackable connector for adjacent circuit boards that will not interfere with electrical traces present in printed circuit boards and may be assembled by hand without the need for specialized tools. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost stackable connector for adjacent circuit boards which is simple to use, relatively easy to manufacture, and comparatively cost effective.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the connector of the present invention positioned between two circuit boards;
- FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the connector of the present invention operationally positioned between two circuit boards with the connector contacts shown in phantom for clarity;
- FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the connector of the present invention operationally positioned between two circuit boards, with the connector contacts shown in phantom, and an alternate embodiment shown for the fasteners.
- the stackable connector 10 includes a connector body 12 and at least one threaded stud 14.
- the connector body 12 and the threaded studs 14 are molded as a single piece of plastic.
- the connector body 12, shown in FIG. 1 may be manufactured in various lengths allowing the stackable connector 10 to be used in combination with circuit boards or other substrates of various sizes. In cases where a longer stackable connector 10 is required, it may be appreciated that the connector body 12 may be increased in length and additional studs 14 added.
- the stackable connector 10 is placed between an upper substrate 16, and a lower substrate 18.
- the lower substrate 18 includes a series of substrate contacts 20.
- the substrate contacts 20 are designed to physically connect to the connector contacts 22 included in the stackable connector 10 when the upper substrate 16 and the lower substrate 18 are connected with the stackable connector 10.
- the physical connection between the substrate contacts 20 and the connector contacts 22 establishes an electrical signal pathway between the upper substrate 16 and the lower substrate 18.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a type of flexible spring contact, however, other contact types, such as coil spring contacts, are equally practical.
- the stackable connector 10 performs a second major function, namely it provides positive support and location for the upper substrate 16 and the lower substrate 18.
- the threaded studs 14 and non-conductive nuts 28 and 28b securely lock upper substrate 16 and lower substrate 18 in position adjacent to stackable connector 10.
- upper substrate 16 includes slots designated 24 designed to accept the passage of threaded studs 14.
- lower substrate 18 includes holes 26 designed to perform the same function.
- slots 24 or holes 26 can be used on either upper substrate 16 or lower substrate 18, as desired by the user.
- both the threaded studs 14 and the non-conductive nuts 28 are formed from molded plastic reducing the cost of stackable connector 10 as well as preventing inadvertent electrical contact between the threaded studs 14 and non-conductive nuts 28 and the upper substrate 14 or the lower substrate 16.
- insulated nuts 30 may be used.
- the insulated nuts 30, include an insulated base 32 and a metal upper section 34. In comparison with the non-conductive nuts 28 shown in FIG. 2, the insulated nuts 30 offer increased strength.
- the upper substrate 16 and the lower substrate 18 may be retained by use of finger nuts 36.
- Fasteners of this type offer increased ease of assembly albeit at some loss of overall strength.
- FIG. 3 shows the use of a finger nut 36 to retain the upper substrate 16.
- the finger nuts 36 may also be replaced with captive nuts of a type well known in the pertinent art. The use of captive nuts (not shown) prevents the nuts from being removed from the threaded studs 14 and thereby prevents the loss of the captive nuts.
- the stackable connector 10 may be fitted with an alternative mounting means for one of the substrates.
- the threaded studs 14 and non-conductive nuts 28 used to retain the lower substrate 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be replaced with a system whereby the stackable connector 10 is soldered to the lower substrate 18 while still retaining the threaded studs 14 and non-conductive nuts 28 used to retain the upper substrate 16.
- the use of a solder type mount may be accomplished by replacing the connector contacts 22 with solder type contacts designed to be inserted into holes included in the lower substrate 18 and retained by application of molten solder.
Abstract
Description
Claims (11)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/375,932 US5525064A (en) | 1995-01-19 | 1995-01-19 | Connector with molded stud(s) and insulated nuts |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/375,932 US5525064A (en) | 1995-01-19 | 1995-01-19 | Connector with molded stud(s) and insulated nuts |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5525064A true US5525064A (en) | 1996-06-11 |
Family
ID=23482959
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/375,932 Expired - Lifetime US5525064A (en) | 1995-01-19 | 1995-01-19 | Connector with molded stud(s) and insulated nuts |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US5525064A (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5993252A (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 1999-11-30 | Molex Incorporated | Support assembly for board-mounted electrical appliance |
US6193553B1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2001-02-27 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Electrical card connector |
US6368116B1 (en) * | 1998-11-12 | 2002-04-09 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Flexible board attaching-connecting device |
US6848942B1 (en) | 2000-01-12 | 2005-02-01 | Molex Incorporated | Connectors having supportive barrier components |
CN100352104C (en) * | 2001-07-18 | 2007-11-28 | 蒂科电子公司 | Elastic connector for connecting flexible circuit and circuit board, and its mfg. method |
US20140302692A1 (en) * | 2013-02-08 | 2014-10-09 | Apple Inc. | Board-to-board connectors |
US9225115B2 (en) | 2012-10-22 | 2015-12-29 | Apple Inc. | Retention key lock for board-to-board connectors |
US9755337B2 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2017-09-05 | Apple Inc. | Waterproof board-to-board connectors |
CN110856343A (en) * | 2018-08-20 | 2020-02-28 | 深圳市超捷通讯有限公司 | Circuit board assembly and electronic device with same |
Citations (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3215968A (en) * | 1960-12-21 | 1965-11-02 | Adolf L Herrmann | Printed circuit board connector |
US3500285A (en) * | 1967-11-01 | 1970-03-10 | Baldwin Co D H | Multiple contact connector |
US3551750A (en) * | 1969-04-21 | 1970-12-29 | Hugh H Eby Co | Circuit board connector |
US3673545A (en) * | 1969-11-10 | 1972-06-27 | Bunker Ramo | Miniature connector construction{13 adjustable or floating |
US4057311A (en) * | 1976-11-11 | 1977-11-08 | Amp Incorporated | Elastomeric connector for parallel circuit boards |
US4395084A (en) * | 1981-07-06 | 1983-07-26 | Teledyne Industries, Inc. | Electrical socket for leadless integrated circuit packages |
US4421370A (en) * | 1981-07-16 | 1983-12-20 | Accutest Corporation | Contact array |
US4508398A (en) * | 1983-09-26 | 1985-04-02 | Gte Automatic Electric Inc. | Printed circuit connecting device |
US4636018A (en) * | 1985-06-05 | 1987-01-13 | Amp Incorporated | Elastomeric electrical connector |
US4699593A (en) * | 1986-01-14 | 1987-10-13 | Amp Incorporated | Connector having contact modules for a substrate such as an IC chip carrier |
US4715820A (en) * | 1986-09-29 | 1987-12-29 | Amp Incorporated | Connection system for printed circuit boards |
US4738625A (en) * | 1986-09-29 | 1988-04-19 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. | Electrical connectors for circuit panels |
US4929194A (en) * | 1988-08-18 | 1990-05-29 | Amp Incorporated | Post means for use with a molded connector |
US5147207A (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1992-09-15 | Teledyne Kinetics | Balanced pressure connector |
US5160268A (en) * | 1991-10-31 | 1992-11-03 | Teledyne Kinetics | Floating stackable connector |
US5228862A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1993-07-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Fluid pressure actuated connector |
US5241451A (en) * | 1992-09-01 | 1993-08-31 | The Whitaker Corporation | Modular electronic assemblies using compressible electrical connectors |
US5266823A (en) * | 1990-06-27 | 1993-11-30 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Semiconductor device having film for controlling diffusion of impurity |
US5473510A (en) * | 1994-03-25 | 1995-12-05 | Convex Computer Corporation | Land grid array package/circuit board assemblies and methods for constructing the same |
-
1995
- 1995-01-19 US US08/375,932 patent/US5525064A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3215968A (en) * | 1960-12-21 | 1965-11-02 | Adolf L Herrmann | Printed circuit board connector |
US3500285A (en) * | 1967-11-01 | 1970-03-10 | Baldwin Co D H | Multiple contact connector |
US3551750A (en) * | 1969-04-21 | 1970-12-29 | Hugh H Eby Co | Circuit board connector |
US3673545A (en) * | 1969-11-10 | 1972-06-27 | Bunker Ramo | Miniature connector construction{13 adjustable or floating |
US4057311A (en) * | 1976-11-11 | 1977-11-08 | Amp Incorporated | Elastomeric connector for parallel circuit boards |
US4395084A (en) * | 1981-07-06 | 1983-07-26 | Teledyne Industries, Inc. | Electrical socket for leadless integrated circuit packages |
US4421370A (en) * | 1981-07-16 | 1983-12-20 | Accutest Corporation | Contact array |
US4508398A (en) * | 1983-09-26 | 1985-04-02 | Gte Automatic Electric Inc. | Printed circuit connecting device |
US4636018A (en) * | 1985-06-05 | 1987-01-13 | Amp Incorporated | Elastomeric electrical connector |
US4699593A (en) * | 1986-01-14 | 1987-10-13 | Amp Incorporated | Connector having contact modules for a substrate such as an IC chip carrier |
US4715820A (en) * | 1986-09-29 | 1987-12-29 | Amp Incorporated | Connection system for printed circuit boards |
US4738625A (en) * | 1986-09-29 | 1988-04-19 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. | Electrical connectors for circuit panels |
US4929194A (en) * | 1988-08-18 | 1990-05-29 | Amp Incorporated | Post means for use with a molded connector |
US5266823A (en) * | 1990-06-27 | 1993-11-30 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Semiconductor device having film for controlling diffusion of impurity |
US5147207A (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1992-09-15 | Teledyne Kinetics | Balanced pressure connector |
US5160268A (en) * | 1991-10-31 | 1992-11-03 | Teledyne Kinetics | Floating stackable connector |
US5228862A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1993-07-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Fluid pressure actuated connector |
US5241451A (en) * | 1992-09-01 | 1993-08-31 | The Whitaker Corporation | Modular electronic assemblies using compressible electrical connectors |
US5473510A (en) * | 1994-03-25 | 1995-12-05 | Convex Computer Corporation | Land grid array package/circuit board assemblies and methods for constructing the same |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5993252A (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 1999-11-30 | Molex Incorporated | Support assembly for board-mounted electrical appliance |
US6368116B1 (en) * | 1998-11-12 | 2002-04-09 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Flexible board attaching-connecting device |
US6193553B1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2001-02-27 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Electrical card connector |
US6848942B1 (en) | 2000-01-12 | 2005-02-01 | Molex Incorporated | Connectors having supportive barrier components |
CN100352104C (en) * | 2001-07-18 | 2007-11-28 | 蒂科电子公司 | Elastic connector for connecting flexible circuit and circuit board, and its mfg. method |
US9225115B2 (en) | 2012-10-22 | 2015-12-29 | Apple Inc. | Retention key lock for board-to-board connectors |
US20140302692A1 (en) * | 2013-02-08 | 2014-10-09 | Apple Inc. | Board-to-board connectors |
US9209540B2 (en) * | 2013-02-08 | 2015-12-08 | Apple Inc. | Board-to-board connectors |
US9755337B2 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2017-09-05 | Apple Inc. | Waterproof board-to-board connectors |
CN110856343A (en) * | 2018-08-20 | 2020-02-28 | 深圳市超捷通讯有限公司 | Circuit board assembly and electronic device with same |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TELEDYNE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MOWRY, THOMAS E.;REEL/FRAME:007421/0881 Effective date: 19941227 |
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STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TELEDYNE INDUSTRIES, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TELEDYNE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES;REEL/FRAME:008251/0794 Effective date: 19961118 |
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Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TELEDYNE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TELEDYNE INDUSTRIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:010703/0172 Effective date: 19991129 |
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REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed |